5 hot topics heading into Big Ten media days

Wednesday

Jul 25, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 25, 2012 at 10:06 AM

With the Penn State child sex abuse scandal grabbing national attention and Ohio State paying for its past sins, the Big Ten heads into the season with two of its four top brand names unable to play in the Big Ten championship game or appear in a bowl game. That's not good for a league that hasn't won the national title since 2002.

John Supinie

CHICAGO -- Never has the Big Ten Conference wanted the football games to begin more than now.

With the Penn State child sex abuse scandal grabbing national attention and Ohio State paying for its past sins, the Big Ten heads into the season with two of its four top brand names unable to play in the Big Ten championship game or appear in a bowl game. That's not good for a league that hasn't won the national title since 2002.

When the league convenes for preseason Big Ten media days Thursday and Friday, the conference wants to talk football, but there are so many other topics.

-- The Big Ten image.

The conference took another hit to its image thanks to Penn State, Joe Paterno and Jerry Sandusky. Heading into the season, Penn State and Ohio State -- two the of the league's four powerful national brand names -- are ineligible for bowl games and the Big Ten championship game.

A conference that can't keep pace with the SEC always took pride in "doing it the right way.'' Now the league can't win on or off the field. The Big Ten's image has never been so low.

"We've been damaged," Delany said, "but not mortally damaged.''

-- Penn State's attempt to hold it together in the short term.

With the NCAA hammer fallen and the Nittany Lions apparently headed toward a long-term punishment, Penn State's first challenge is to keep the roster intact. The NCAA's decision to allow any player to transfer with the chance to play immediately until the start of the 2013 season may cause a feeding frenzy.

Southern Cal showed interest in Penn State junior running back Silas Redd. Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki was leaning toward a transfer to Illinois. Cornerback Ross Douglas, an Ohio prep senior, was one of Penn State's top recruiting victories before decommitting Monday and committing to Michigan on Tuesday.

"My main goal is to keep this 2012 football team together,'' Penn State coach Bill O’Brien said on Dan Patrick's radio show Tuesday. "That's what I'm working on every single day.''

-- Wisconsin fans should get that credit card ready.

Can anyone challenge Wisconsin for the Leaders Division title and a spot in the Big Ten championship game? The defending two-time Big Ten champs who made back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances, the Badgers play in a division weakened by NCAA penalties.

Ohio State and Penn State have bowl bans and can't play for the conference championship and BCS berth. Badgers fans know those Big Ten title game tickets go on sale Saturday.

Following games against Illinois and Purdue on back-to-back weekends, the Badgers could have the berth assured by Oct. 13. The folks at Big 10 Pub in Madison probably aren't too concerned.

-- Everyone else can buy "TeamTix.''

The Big Ten announced a ticket system to help fans reserve championship games tickets without having to travel to Indianapolis or dumping their tickets at a loss if their team doesn't advance. Fans can purchase "TeamTix'' for as little as $10. If the specified team makes the championship game, there's a ticket guarantee at face value.

If the team fails to qualify, a buyer only loses the reservation fee. Reservations are limited to eight tickets. Go to BTN.com/TeamTix to make reservations. The championship game is Dec. 1. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

-- Where is Illinois headed?

Back-to-back bowl appearances weren't enough to save Ron Zook's job, and first-year Illini coach Tim Beckman brings a successful track record from Toledo. After Zook's recruiting faltered under a lack of on-the-field success, another trip to a bowl game would be a big victory for a program in transition.

Junior quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase returns after starting the previous two seasons, but the Illini are thin at running back, wide receiver and along the offensive line. The defense ranked seventh nationally last season and enters as the team's strength.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnSupinie.